The Great Plains of the United States is a vast, open, and
mostly agricultural region. In contrast to neighboring areas,
hardly any trees grow on the Great Plains. They lie between the
Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi.
The Great Plains
area is very sparsely populated. With 4 to 13 inhabitants per
square kilometer, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and
Kansas are among the most sparsely populated US states. For
comparison: North and South Dakota together are larger than
Germany, but have fewer inhabitants than Hamburg. These states
are often jokingly or derogatorily referred to as “flyover
country” because they are (supposedly) ignored by the East and
West Coast elites who only fly over them en route from New York
or Washington to Los Angeles. Conversely, there is also
widespread skepticism about the political and social
establishment, which many residents of the region feel
misunderstood by.
In addition to Americans of European
descent, Native Americans make up a higher proportion of the
population in the Great Plains than in most other US regions.
This is especially true for the states of Oklahoma, South
Dakota, and North Dakota. In recent decades, especially rural
regions in all states of the Great Plains have recorded a
population loss.
North Dakota is a vast, windswept
prairie state in the Upper Midwest that perfectly embodies the spirit of
the Great Plains. Known as the Peace Garden State, it features endless
rolling fields of wheat, sunflowers, and barley that stretch to the
horizon under enormous skies. The Missouri River bisects the state,
carving dramatic badlands in the west where Theodore Roosevelt National
Park offers stunning vistas, wild horses, and bison herds. Visitors come
for the annual Medora Musical in the badlands, the massive International
Peace Garden on the Canadian border, and the chance to experience
small-town hospitality in places like Bismarck and Fargo. Oil
discoveries in the Bakken formation brought a modern boom, yet the state
retains its quiet, resilient character shaped by harsh winters and
pioneer history.
South Dakota delivers
some of America’s most iconic roadside and natural wonders within its
open plains and Black Hills. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with its
colossal presidential faces carved into granite, remains the state’s
star attraction, while the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial continues to grow
as a tribute to Native American heritage. Badlands National Park
showcases otherworldly eroded buttes and spires glowing at sunset, and
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the world’s longest cave systems
beneath rolling prairie. The state’s western half feels wild and
mountainous thanks to the Black Hills, while the east is classic
farmland dotted with glacial lakes. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Wall Drug,
and the historic town of Deadwood add colorful roadside culture to this
endlessly photogenic state.
Nebraska surprises visitors with its subtle beauty and “Great
American Road Trip” appeal across gently undulating plains. The state’s
nickname, the Cornhusker State, reflects its agricultural heart, but
travelers discover the dramatic Sandhills—a 19,000-square-mile sea of
grass-covered dunes in the north-central region—and the wild, scenic
Niobrara River ideal for canoeing and tubing. Chimney Rock and Scotts
Bluff National Monument stand as famous Oregon Trail landmarks that once
guided pioneers westward. Omaha offers vibrant urban energy with its
zoo, museums, and Berkshire Hathaway ties, while Lincoln serves as the
friendly capital. Wide-open skies, pioneer trails, and genuine
Midwestern warmth define Nebraska’s understated charm.
Kansas is the very heart of America’s Great
Plains, where golden wheat fields ripple under endless blue skies and
the horizon seems to stretch forever. Often called the Wheat State or
the Sunflower State, it played a pivotal role in westward expansion as
the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails crossed its tallgrass prairies. Today
visitors explore the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong
City, one of the last large remnants of the ecosystem that once covered
much of the continent. Historic sites like Fort Larned and the
Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene honor the state’s frontier
and presidential heritage. Dodge City still channels its Wild West past,
while Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas offer urban amenities. The state’s
simple, sweeping beauty rewards those who take the time to drive its
scenic byways.
Oklahoma blends Southern
hospitality with true Western frontier spirit across its diverse
landscapes of rolling plains, forested hills, and dramatic mesas. Once
known as Indian Territory, the state is home to 39 federally recognized
Native American tribes whose vibrant cultures are celebrated in museums
and powwows statewide. Oklahoma City’s Bricktown and the National Cowboy
& Western Heritage Museum capture the state’s modern and historic
identity, while Route 66 winds through iconic towns like Clinton and Elk
City. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska protects one of the
largest remaining stretches of tallgrass prairie, and the Ouachita
Mountains in the southeast offer hiking and lakes. From tornado-chasing
tourism to world-class rodeos and rich Native history, Oklahoma feels
like a crossroads of American stories.
Furthermore,
Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Iowa
and Minnesota
are part of the Great Plains, but belong to other major regions and are
mentioned in other travel guides.
Fargo – The largest city in North Dakota, located in the eastern part
of the state along the Red River. It serves as a major economic and
cultural hub for the region, known for its growing tech sector,
universities, and harsh winters.
Kansas City – A major metropolitan
area straddling the border of Missouri and Kansas. Famous for its
barbecue, jazz heritage, vibrant arts scene, and professional sports
teams (Chiefs and Royals). It is one of the largest cities in the
Midwest by metro population.
Lincoln – The capital city of Nebraska
and its second-largest city. Home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,
it offers a mix of government functions, higher education, and a
family-friendly atmosphere with beautiful parks and a revitalized
downtown.
Oklahoma City – The capital and largest city of Oklahoma. A
fast-growing urban center known for its energy industry, diverse
economy, professional sports (Thunder), and resilient spirit following
the 1995 bombing. It features a modern downtown with the Bricktown
entertainment district.
Omaha – The largest city in Nebraska,
situated along the Missouri River. It is a major business and insurance
hub (home to Berkshire Hathaway), boasts a thriving arts and cultural
scene, and is famous for its steaks, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and the
College World Series.
Rapid City – The second-largest city in South
Dakota, often called the “Gateway to the Black Hills.” It serves as a
popular base for tourists visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial,
and Badlands National Park. The city blends Western heritage with
outdoor recreation.
Sioux Falls – The largest city in South Dakota,
located in the southeastern corner of the state. It has experienced
rapid growth thanks to a strong economy in finance, healthcare, and
retail. Known for its namesake waterfalls in Falls Park and high quality
of life.
Tulsa – The second-largest city in Oklahoma, situated along
the Arkansas River. Historically significant in the oil industry (once
called the “Oil Capital of the World”), it now features a revitalized
downtown, a strong arts community (including the Philbrook and Gilcrease
museums), and a rich Native American cultural presence.
Wichita – The
largest city in Kansas and a major industrial center. Known as the “Air
Capital of the World” due to its long history in aircraft manufacturing
(Boeing, Cessna, Beechcraft, etc.). It offers a central location,
affordable living, and attractions like the Keeper of the Plains statue
and a growing downtown riverfront.
The Great Plains is not packed with attractions. In fact, they are not packed with everything. They are among the least dense states in the Union, and they are iconic for their wide, flat open spaces. The big cities of Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Omaha have a number of modest attractions, though U.S. travelers won't go out of their way to find them. The Black Hills and Badlands of southwestern South Dakota are literally home to some of the largest attractions in the United States. In particular, there are the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial, as well as a Wild West era cowboy town and rugged mountainous terrain teeming with big game.
English language is by far the most widely spoken and widely understood language. Historically, many indigenous American languages were spoken in the region, but today those who speak them usually also speak comparable, if not better, English. Historically, the region had one of the largest German immigrant populations, but the use of German as a first language fell into disuse during the World Wars, when it was considered unpatriotic and raised suspicions (sometimes justified) of imperial or Nazi sympathies. Today, few people speak more than one German word.
By Airplane.
Flying is probably the fastest and most practical way
to enter the Great Plains region. Many smaller cities in the region are
served by the Midwest hubs of Chicago (ORD IATA and MDW IATA), Kansas
City, Missouri, and Minneapolis; the western hub of Denver; and the
Texas hubs of Dallas and Houston. From these larger airports, Fargo and
Grand Forks, North Dakota; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, Scottsbluff and Alliance,
Nebraska; Salina, Wichita and Topeka, Kansas, Small commuter flights are
available to many small city airports, including Tulsa and Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.
By Train.
Amtrak serves parts of the region.
Although trains are often not as fast as buses (if at all) and are not
usually cheaper than airplanes except for short trips, the scenery,
legroom, and style of travel more than make up for these drawbacks, at
least for some people, and Amtrak has enjoyed record ridership most
years since 2000 Amtrak has had record ridership in
For cars
Most of the region is connected to interstate highways. However, some
rural roads are in very poor condition.
Buses
Intercity buses
in the U.S.
By automobile.
Generally by automobile. Overall, this is one of
the worst areas to tour the US without a car.
By train or bus.
Greyhound buses have several routes here. The number of services,
especially in South Dakota, is relatively limited compared to other
parts of the U.S.
Although part of the Great Plains' history is
by rail, passenger rail service is very limited. Most of the tracks once
built by pioneers survive to this day, but are largely used by freight
trains. Even large cities like Tulsa and Wichita have been inaccessible
by train since the 1970s. Some large cities, such as Oklahoma City, are
connected by rail to southern Oklahoma and neighboring northern Texas.
With stops in small towns like Dodge City, Kansas, and McCook,
Nebraska, each state (except one) has one passenger rail line that can
take you to rural areas. Unfortunately, South Dakota, home to the famous
Badlands, is a Great Plains state with no rail service at all.
By
plane.
Many large cities have regular air commuter service to larger
hub airports. Smaller towns may have more limited, smaller commuter
service.
Agricultural use of the Great Plains can be roughly divided into two
areas. While west of the 100th degree of longitude there is
predominantly intensive animal husbandry in large fattening farms with
little use of land and extensive animal husbandry (ranching) with very
large use of land, east of the 100th degree of longitude arable farming
is the primary form of agricultural use. Summer/winter wheat as well as
maize and millet are mainly cultivated. The reason for this distribution
is the line of equal rainfall (isohyete at 500 mm), which runs almost
parallel to the 100th longitude and forms the limit for rain-fed
agriculture without artificial irrigation.
The rainier east of
the region, the so-called Grain Belt (grain belt), is also known as the
granary of the USA, or "breadbasket" (breadbasket) because in that
region a huge surplus of agricultural products is generated.
Approximately half of the wheat in the USA is produced in the Great
Plains area, which at 68 million t for the entire USA (as of 2008)
corresponds to approx. 34 million t. The Western High Plains produce 60%
of all US beef, which is why this part of the Great Plains is often
referred to as "Cattle Country". As far as agriculture takes place in
the west, it is usually made possible by artificial irrigation.
Increasing droughts have made agriculture significantly more difficult
in recent decades, and mechanization and automation have made labor
redundant. The Ogallala Aquifer, a deep aquifer, is nearly depleted from
use for artificial irrigation. Cultivated land is already turning back
into grassland, on which bison breeding is increasingly practiced. Under
the name of Buffalo Commons, it is proposed to convert large areas back
into prairies, resettle people and reopen the areas to wild bison.
Hunting and tourism could open up a new economic basis. In addition, the
use of the Great Plains today is increasingly focused on wind power
generation.
This is opposed to a trend of plowing under and
intensively using areas in the northern parts of the plains that have
not yet been used or only used extensively, and which have therefore
retained their grassland character. The reasons for this are the
promotion of the cultivation of energy crops and a special form of
state-subsidized crop failure insurance, which enables cultivation on
marginal yield locations or even areas whose cultivation could not be
profitable without the insurance.
The Sandhills in Nebraska are
among the largest regions of the Great Plains that have not been
subjected to intermittent agricultural use. It is a very large area of
continuous sand dunes stabilized by low vegetation. 85 percent of this
region therefore still has the original plant population.
Measures had to be taken due to various forms of erosion.
Mulch sowing: The soil is cultivated without a plow in order to reduce
or completely prevent soil erosion. However, this "conserved tillage"
does not mean that the soil is no longer loosened, but that instead of a
plough, other equipment such as e.g. B. a cultivator can be used. A deep
loosening of the soil is usually not necessary due to a gradually built
up natural storage (optimal) if no mistakes are made in cultivation.
The no-till method: the soil is not worked mechanically. The soil is
loosened by suitable cover crops and soil organisms. Harvest residues
also remain on the field before sowing, thus preventing erosion and also
reducing water loss.
Dry farming describes an annual alternation
between cultivation and fallow land. The ground is kept free of weeds
and deeply plowed during the fallow year. As a result, the surface
becomes looser and larger, the soil can absorb more moisture. To prevent
evaporation, the soil is also harrowed and rolled after rainfall.
"Contour plowing" promotes the seepage of the water by drawing furrows
in the field parallel to the contour line, which slow down the water so
that the two erosive forces of wind and water are counteracted. Overall,
however, the problem of wind erosion is much more difficult to solve
than forms of erosion caused by water.
Stubble mulching: Farmland is
covered with straw (stubble) during the fallow season and the stubble
from the previous crop is left standing. This is done not only with
straw, but also with other mulches. This measure promotes the moisture
absorption of the soil and reduces soil erosion.
Windbreaks: Forest
protection strips and windbreak hedges are built to reduce soil erosion.
Strip cropping: The soil is cultivated with plants of different ripening
times to reduce soil erosion.
It is not uncommon for several of these
soil protection measures to be used at the same time. This is for the
sole purpose of maintaining greater effectiveness and preventing another
Dust Bowl scenario.
The Great Plains is known as "Tornado Alley," an area where tornadoes
are common during the spring and summer months. See "Tornado Safety" for
more information. While it is somewhat rare for tourists to experience
tornadoes, severe thunderstorms with frequent lightning, high winds,
hail, and heavy rainfall are common during the spring and summer months.
If weather conditions worsen, listen to local radio stations (there are
often "Weather Radio Information" road signs on highways). If you are
taking a cross-country drive in winter, be prepared for the fact that
interstate highways are often closed during inclement winter weather.
The Great Plains is home to the largest number of tornadoes in the
United States and the world. Unfortunately, tornadoes can sometimes be
severe, but thankfully are rare. Most tornadoes average between EF0 and
EF2, but some EF3 and above do occur. If you see strange weather
patterns such as rotating clouds, funnel clouds, or loud roars, seek
shelter in a safe area. Severe thunderstorms are also frequent. In some
areas, tornado sirens sound for severe storms.
Because most areas
in the Great Plains are rural, gun ownership is very common, and hunting
is a popular pastime for many residents. Gun owners are generally
responsible with their weapons, but when hiking in the wilderness, be
sure to wear brightly colored clothing so as not to be mistaken for a
wild animal. Be very careful not to take shortcuts through private
property. There have been incidents of owners shooting trespassers.
Also, avoid talking politics about guns with locals.
Prehistoric and Paleo-Indian Era (c. 15,000–10,000+ Years Ago)
The
Great Plains were not always grassland. During the last Ice Age, spruce
and deciduous forests extended southward. As glaciers retreated around
12,000–14,000 years ago, the region became treeless prairie, ideal for
grazing.
Paleo-Indians arrived via migration routes (possibly along
the Rockies' eastern edge), hunting megafauna like mammoths and ancient
bison with Clovis and Folsom points. The Archaic period (c. 5000–2500
BCE) saw smaller, more mobile groups adapting to a warmer, drier climate
with diverse hunting-gathering. By the Woodland and Plains Village
periods (c. 800–1500 CE), maize (corn) arrived from the south around
700–800 CE, enabling semi-sedentary villages, mound-building influences
from Mississippian cultures, trade networks, and fortified
towns—especially in the north. Contrary to later stereotypes, parts of
the Plains supported substantial populations with farming alongside
bison hunting.
Indigenous Cultures Before and After Horses
(Pre-Contact to 18th Century)
Before European contact, diverse tribes
inhabited the Plains, mixing farming (along rivers) and hunting. Nomadic
and semi-sedentary groups thrived on immense bison herds (tens of
millions), pronghorn, and other game. Bison provided food, clothing,
tools, shelter (tipis), and more.
Key tribes included:
Nomadic
horse cultures (later dominant): Comanche, Lakota (Sioux), Cheyenne,
Arapaho, Crow, Blackfoot, Kiowa.
Semi-sedentary village farmers:
Pawnee, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Wichita, Osage.
The
horse—reintroduced by Spanish explorers (e.g., Coronado in 1540–42, with
larger herds by the late 1500s–1600s)—transformed societies after the
Pueblo Revolt of 1680 spread them northward. By the 1700s, full mounted
nomadic cultures emerged, enabling efficient bison hunting, warfare,
trade, and mobility. Tipis, travois (initially dog-pulled), sign
language, and pemmican/jerky became hallmarks. Horses brought wealth,
prestige, and power shifts (e.g., Comanche dominance in the south).
Diseases like smallpox devastated populations (up to 50–90% losses in
waves, including the 1837 epidemic).
European Exploration and
Early Contact (16th–Early 19th Centuries)
Spanish explorer Francisco
Vázquez de Coronado (1540–42) first documented Plains cultures while
seeking Quivira (in modern Kansas), encountering Querechos (Apache) with
dog travois and bison-based life. Other Spanish and later French
explorers followed.
The fur trade (French, British) drew settlers and
altered economies in the 18th–early 19th centuries. The 1803 Louisiana
Purchase transferred vast Plains territory to the U.S. The Lewis and
Clark Expedition (1804–06) mapped and explored it, paving the way for
American claims.
Westward Expansion, Indian Wars, and Settlement
(Mid-19th Century)
The Homestead Act (1862) offered 160 acres (later
more in drier areas) to settlers who improved the land, spurring
migration post-Civil War. Railroads facilitated transport. Bison herds
were nearly exterminated (from millions to near zero by the 1880s) to
clear land, starve Indigenous resistance, and support hides/tanning
industries—devastating Native economies.
Indian Wars and policies
(treaties, reservations like Dawes Act) confined tribes. Battles like
Little Bighorn (1876) and Wounded Knee (1890) marked resistance's end.
Cattle ranching boomed (open range, then fenced), followed by farming.
"Rain follows the plow" myths encouraged settlement despite semi-arid
realities.
Early 20th Century Boom, Dust Bowl, and Depression
(1920s–1930s)
WWI demand and wet years boosted wheat farming.
Mechanization (tractors, combines) and deep plowing destroyed native
grasses. A severe drought (1930s, peaking 1934–40) caused massive
erosion. Dust storms ("black blizzards," e.g., Black Sunday 1935)
blackened skies, reached the East Coast, and ruined farms across the
southern/central Plains (Texas/Oklahoma Panhandles epicenter).
Hundreds of thousands migrated (many "Okies" to California), as depicted
in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Dorothea Lange's photos. Soil
Conservation Service and New Deal programs promoted contour plowing,
shelterbelts, and better practices.
Post-WWII to Present:
Recovery, Agriculture, and Diversification
Irrigation (Ogallala
Aquifer) and improved techniques revived farming from the 1950s. The
region became a major producer of wheat, corn, cattle, oil/gas, coal,
and wind power. Population in rural areas declined (many ghost towns),
but urban centers and energy/tech grew. Challenges include aquifer
depletion, climate variability, and rural depopulation.
Today, the
Plains support agribusiness, energy (oil in Texas/Oklahoma, wind in many
states), and tourism (e.g., Badlands, Black Hills). Indigenous
communities maintain cultural revival on reservations. The region
exemplifies boom-bust cycles tied to environment, markets, and policy.
Boundaries and Extent
The Great Plains lie east of the Rocky
Mountains, west of the Interior Lowlands (or Central Lowland) and
Mississippi River valley, stretching from the Rio Grande in the south to
near the Mackenzie River delta in the north (though the U.S. portion is
the focus here).
In the U.S., they include parts or all of 10 states:
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas,
Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. The region measures about
3,000 miles (4,800 km) north-south and 300–700 miles (480–1,100 km)
east-west.
The eastern boundary is somewhat transitional, often
marked by the 20-inch (510 mm) annual rainfall line (roughly near the
100th meridian), where taller grasses give way to shorter ones and
farming shifts. The western edge rises against the Rockies.
Topography and Landforms
The Great Plains are a broad, gently
eastward-sloping plateau underlain by nearly horizontal sedimentary
rocks (sandstones, shales, limestones, etc.). Elevation starts at about
5,000–6,000 feet (1,500–1,800 m) at the base of the Rockies and
decreases to around 1,500 feet (450 m) or less at the eastern edge.
Local relief is generally low, but the landscape includes subtle
variations.
Key features:
Extremely flat areas: Such as the
Llano Estacado (Staked Plains) in western Texas and eastern New Mexico —
a classic high, level tableland.
Rolling hills, low plateaus, and
incised valleys: Common throughout; not a perfectly featureless plain.
Isolated mountain groups: "Island" ranges like the Black Hills of South
Dakota (rising 1,500–2,000 feet above the plains) and smaller ones in
Montana (Bear Paw, Big Snowy, Judith).
Badlands: Eroded, rugged
badlands in South Dakota and elsewhere.
Sand Hills: In Nebraska, a
unique dune field stabilized by grass.
The U.S. Geological Survey
divides the U.S. portion into about ten physiographic subdivisions,
including the High Plains (core area from southern Wyoming to Texas
Panhandle, including Sand Hills and Llano Estacado), Missouri
Plateau/Coteau (glaciated and unglaciated parts in the north), and
others.
Climate
The Great Plains have a continental climate
with extremes: cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, high winds, and
sudden temperature changes. Precipitation is low to moderate (often
<20–24 inches/500–600 mm per year, decreasing westward), with more rain
in summer. The west is semi-arid steppe; the east is more humid.
Notable phenomena:
Chinook winds: Warm, dry downslope winds from
the Rockies that can rapidly raise temperatures in winter.
Severe
weather: Tornadoes (especially in "Tornado Alley" areas like Oklahoma,
Kansas, Texas), blizzards, hail, and droughts are common due to clashing
air masses.
Drainage and Rivers
Major rivers flow generally
eastward from the Rockies in broad, shallow, steep-sided valleys. Key
systems include:
Missouri River and tributaries (Yellowstone, Platte,
Kansas).
Arkansas River.
Red River.
Rio Grande (southern
boundary).
The Red River of the North drains northward into
Canada. These rivers provide vital water for agriculture and have shaped
the landscape through erosion and deposition.
Soils, Vegetation,
and Natural Resources
Soils are mostly mollisols (deep, fertile black
or dark soils rich in organic matter from grasses), best in the east
where moisture supports taller vegetation. They become lighter and
thinner westward. Carbonate accumulation is common.
Vegetation is
grassland-dominated:
Tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie in the east.
Shortgrass steppe and bunchgrasses in the drier west.
Shrubs
(sagebrush, mesquite), cacti, and forbs in marginal areas.
Riparian
(gallery) forests along rivers (cottonwood, box elder).
Conifers on
isolated mountains.
Much original grassland has been converted to
cropland or overgrazed.